Sponsor:
Prof. Ben Knapp, Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT)
http://www.icat.vt.edu/
Project description: We want to create a mobile app that, during nighttime events, will allow the crowd in Lane Stadium to use their cell phones to create a giant, collective visual display for photos, videos, messages, etc. Each cell phone screen represents one “pixel”. Since attendees have assigned seats, we know roughly where each pixel is located. The goal would be to let fans download the app to be part of the display, but also perhaps collaboratively suggest and generate content to display. Think of the photo mosaic posters comprised of many individual images. Aside from the user interface, there are important technical challenges involved in synchronizing the apps even when wireless coverage is spotty. We have the cooperation of the stadium staff to turn off the lights and try this out during a major event.
Project deliverables: Functional, usable mobile app that can be deployed to large numbers of users (100+) in a stadium setting and provide a crowdsourced display of (possibly animated or interactive) visual content.
Skills: Mobile app development, graphics, wireless networking, social computing.
